From Tallinn to Pskov, St Petersburg and Moscow via Koidula: How to Get There in 2026
Updated 1 November 2026
The shortest way from Tallinn to Russia runs through Narva, but queues there now form in both directions. That is why more and more people travel via the Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora crossing: the road is longer, but the border is much calmer. Here is how the crossing works, how long the trip takes and how to plan your journey to Pskov, St Petersburg or Moscow.
Need a transfer? Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram with the date, address and number of passengers. Prices and details are on the Tallinn ↔ Koidula transfer page.
All crossings between Estonia and Russia are open daily from 07:00 to 19:00, and since 1 October 2026 there are checks in both directions. At Narva this means queues of many hours, and a place in the queue is sold there for 50 EUR per person. Koidula and Luhamaa are much less busy.
Crossing Koidula on foot usually takes an hour, at most an hour and a half. If you travel on a visa, an interview is mandatory, and with dual citizenship it is at the discretion of the passport control officer. Veterinary control operates at all three crossings, so you can travel with pets.
Comparing congestion: Narva or Koidula
Narva is closer to Tallinn, but because of the checks and shorter hours queues form there in both directions and in any season. Koidula is further, 280 km from Tallinn, but there are far fewer people. We know the best time to arrive so you do not reach the crossing together with the buses and the train.
Traveller mistake: why you should not go via Tartu with changes
Many people try to save money: they fly into Tallinn, take a bus to Tartu, stay the night there and only head to the border the next day. In reality that means tickets for the whole family, a hotel, a lost day and dragging suitcases at every change. It is better to book a direct transfer from Tallinn Airport to the border: you save on the hotel, keep your energy and arrive a day earlier.
Door-to-door transfer: how it works
Part one, Estonia: the driver meets you at the airport, the port or your address in Tallinn and takes you to the Koidula crossing, about 3 hours from the airport and about 3 hours 15 minutes from the port. Crossing on foot: you pass Estonian and Russian control at Kunichina Gora. Part two, Russia: at the exit our second driver meets you and takes you to Pskov, St Petersburg, Moscow or any address in Russia. The connecting transfer in Russia is planned individually, please mention it when booking.
Two proven scenarios
Scenario one, daytime arrival: landing no later than 14:00, leaving the airport at 14:30, arriving at Koidula around 17:30. That leaves about an hour and a half before the border closes at 19:00.
Scenario two, night arrival: no need to pay for a hotel in Tallinn. We meet you at night, you rest in a Lexus, Mercedes E-Class or V-Class and arrive at the crossing for the 07:00 opening, ahead of the main flow of people.
Why choose ArtSanTaxi
We have been working since 2019. We track flights and the driver waits for any delay. We help with luggage at every stage. The price is fixed per car: from Tallinn to Koidula a sedan is 250 EUR, a minivan for up to 8 passengers 320 EUR.
Other routes to Russia and back
Via Luhamaa: Tallinn ↔ Luhamaa and Tartu ↔ Luhamaa. From Riga: Riga ↔ Koidula and Riga ↔ Luhamaa. From Tartu: Tartu ↔ Koidula. The way back: St Petersburg ↔ Pskov ↔ Koidula ↔ Tallinn.
All crossings are compared in our article How to get to Russia from the Baltic States in 2026, and the way back is covered in Returning from Russia to Estonia via Koidula and Luhamaa.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Tallinn to Koidula? The distance is 280 km, about 3 hours from the airport and about 3 hours 15 minutes from the passenger port.
What are the Koidula border opening hours? Daily from 07:00 to 19:00, like all crossings between Estonia and Russia.
How long does crossing the border at Koidula take? On foot it usually takes an hour, at most an hour and a half. For travellers on a visa the interview is mandatory.
Is there a queue at Koidula? Since 1 October 2026 there are checks at all crossings, but Koidula has far fewer people than Narva. We know the best time to arrive so you do not reach the crossing together with the buses and the train.
Which is better for crossing: Narva or Koidula? Narva is closer to Tallinn, but there are queues in both directions and a place in the queue is sold for 50 EUR per person. Koidula is further but calmer, so more and more people choose it for trips to Pskov, St Petersburg or Moscow.
Can I get to Koidula by bus or train? Yes, but you have to fit the timetable and changes, and at the crossing you will be together with all the passengers of that service. A transfer leaves at a time that suits you and brings you to the crossing when there are fewer people.
Can I cross at Koidula with a pet? Yes. Veterinary control operates at all three crossings, Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa, on both the Estonian and the Russian side.
How do I get from Kunichina Gora to Pskov or St Petersburg? On the Russian side our second driver meets you and takes you to Pskov, St Petersburg, Moscow or any address.
Booking 24/7:
Phone: +372 5802 4209
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Email: artsantaxi@gmail.com